Artificial imbibing-straw.



P. H. CARR.

ARTIFICIAL IMBIBING STRAW.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 3, 1916.

1,223,933,. Patented Apr. 24,1917.

PAUL H. CARR, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

ARTIFICIAL IMBIBING-STRAW.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 24 11917.

Application filed May 3, 19 16. Serial No. 95,094.

which possess a novel construction and im-' provements over similar straws now used.

Heretofore the beverage imblbmg straws which have been manufactured have had a circular cross-section of equal diameters. According to the construction and size of these straws thus made and commonly used, it is found that they are of an insufficient imbibing capacity to satisfy the desires and wants of the user, hence initiating the practice of using two or more straws in imbibing the beverage. Also, on account of the size of these straws, fruit-pulp, particles of ice,

syrups, etc., often cause a congestion in the fluid passage thereof, rendering imbibing unpleasant and annoying and frequently rendering the straw useless for its purpose.

Several attempts have been made to obviate these disadvantages and render the use of imbibing straws more pleasant and desirable by providing what was known as the double straw and by making the round straw of a greater diameter than is now commonly used.

It was found that the manufacture of these double straws was impractical and also that they possessed the same disadvantages of clogging as the single straw, and, consequently, the manufacture of the double straws was discontinued. It was further found that when the commonly used single round straw was made of sufficient size to eliminate and overcome the undesirable feature thereof by increasing their diameters, they were uncomfortable to hold between the lips and awkward in appearance, due to enl'argement, and, therefore, were unpopular.

By further experiment to perfect a more efficient and desirable artificial imbibing straw, the applicant has devised a straw of a novel formation which permits it to be made of such a size as will increase the imbibing capacity thereof and prevent the congestion of fruit-pulp or the like therein, while overcoming the undesirable features of cumbersomeness and permitting a comfortable and easy holding between the lips.

The straw, according to this invention, is also particularly designed to permit printing or decorative matter to be placed thereupon large enough to be easily read and prominently displayed. It is to be further said that the particular style or formation of the present straw is more attractive and substantial than those now-in use and admits of a more compact packing for shipment.

In the accompanying drawings an artificial imbibing straw is illustrated such as is contemplated by the invention, and in these drawings gigure 1 is a perspective view of the straw, an

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary detail perspective of the straw made on an enlarged scale so that the exact formation and constructio may be readily ascertained.

Like reference characters refer to like parts.

The straw shown in the drawing may be made in any desired manner, of any suitable material, although it is here shown as being wound spirally from a strip or strips of suitable stock in a manner common in the art. The stock is made waterproof by a suitable bath prior to its formation into a straw, or is passed through such bath after its formation, or while being formed, as desired. The straw according to the invention will have a fiat formation substantially oval or rectangular in cross-section.

With particular reference to-the drawings, the straw is so formed, on a suitable mandrel, as to have two opposing fiat parallel sides A and slightly curved side portions as indicated at B, the latter relieving any sharp edges as may occur in a strictly square or rectangular formation. This construction allows the width of the straw to be increased -vention to provide an imbibing straw with flat sides A, which will eadily permit and facilitate the application of printed matter, such as advertising or decorative matter,

upon said flat sides, especially after the formation of the straw has been completed or while it is being formed. By virtue of these opposing flat surfaces A, the printed matter may be of such size as to be conspicuous and prominently displayed for an easy reading.

The foregoing clearly sets forth the pres ent invention, and What is claimed is:

1. As a new article of manufacture, an artificial straw substantially oval in cross-section and having a single passage therethrough. a

2. As a new article of manufacture an artificial straw comprising a tube, the cross section of which is provided with a short diameter and a long diameter forming two longitudinal parallel substantially flat Walls connected'by longitudinally extending end Walls, whereby a single opening of substantially elliptical form is provided.

Intestimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

PAUL H. CARR. Witnesses:

CHAS. S. HYER, M. E.'MODADE. 

